The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) mandates public reporting around mortgage lending activities. Learn more about the HMDA and how it works.

A house deed is a physical document legally transferring ownership of real estate. Learn more about how house deeds affect sellers and buyers.

A homeowners insurance binder is temporary proof of coverage until an official policy is issued. Learn what an insurance binder includes and how to get one.

Mortgage protection insurance is an insurance policy that helps the family of the policyholder make mortgage payments after they die. Read on to learn more.

See how current mortgage rates compare to historical mortgage rates. They’re some of the highest of the 2000s, but relatively low compared to the 1980s.

A gift letter for a mortgage shows your lender that you don’t need to repay money gifts toward your down payment. Learn how to write a mortgage gift letter.

Want to protect yourself from higher mortgage rates? Read our article to learn all about the float-down option and how it can work with a mortgage rate lock.

Freddie Mac is a government-sponsored agency charged with keeping mortgage markets liquid. Learn more about FHLMC – and how it impacts home buyers and sellers.

Government agency Ginnie Mae guarantees security on mortgages. Learn how it works, how it benefits the housing market and makes homeownership more affordable.

A Verified Approval allows you to confidently make an offer knowing that your financing is rock solid. Read on for details!

Tenancy in common is an arrangement where two or more people share ownership rights in a property. Learn more about tenants in common and how it works.

Lender credits let you roll your closing costs into your loan for a higher interest rate. Learn about lender credits and if they could be helpful to you.

When you make your mortgage payment, you may be paying extra into escrow for your insurance and taxes. Find out if an escrow waiver is right for you.

Fair market value (FMV) in real estate is an assessment of a property's worth in an open market. Learn how FMV is calculated and what it's used for.

Fee simple refers to a landowner’s absolute ownership of real property. Read our article to learn about how fee simple determines real estate or land ownership.

The power of sale allows a lender to sell a home – without judicial review – if a borrower defaults on a mortgage. Learn more about how the power of sale works.

An escrow agent upholds the escrow agreement in a real estate transaction. Read on to learn how this entity protects the property and assets in escrow.

Escrow fees ensure a secure exchange of funds between buyer, seller, lender and other parties. Read on to learn what they cost and who pays for them.